Nearly thirty years of neoliberal market reforms have led to the emergence of new business elites in the Arab countries. Arab billionaires hold enormous economic power, they have gained great influence on the media, and business elites have been significant actors in the “Arab spring”. The course will review the historical development of Arab capitalists from the 1950s to the present day. Students will use theories from political economy and political sociology to analyse the changing role of business elites in Arab politics.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

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